stud earrings, went to a B & M

[Black Jade]

I''ve ordered my earrings from Whiteflash. Had to decide whether 4 prong basket or martini settings. I looked at the various threads on this forum on the forum and then I went to the upscale jewelry store in our area to try some on in person. The prices really can''t compare to online. So I am glad I ordered online. Earrings the same size (about 2 carat tw) but in lesser quality I SI2 (I ordered H VS2) cost 50% more. That would be $5,000 more--which is not a negligible amount of money.

But on the other hand, there is something about shopping in person which is much nicer. And it''s not just the experience, and the great service, it''s the information. I saw well-cut I''s and J''s in this store, which I had not seen in person before and I could see that it is true, what people say, that they face up white in white metals. And I couldn''t see any inclusions in the SI2s that they showed me. This is something that I never would have been convinced of without seeing such earrings in person.

Also (and this was the reason I went to the store) I never would have known without trying them on that martini earrings do not suit my ears AT ALL. The concensus online is that they are much better, and I was almost convinced to go witih that. But maritinis sink into my ears and disappear. It''s something about my ear shape. This was very noticeable not just to me but to the salespeople, who agreed that the style does not suit me--it''s not just that 4 prong basket are better for me, it''s that martinis are terrible (for me). Who would have known it?

There''s just something about being there in person.

 

[jewels2]

So did you buy 2CTW H VS2 from Whiteflash then? May I ask the cost please?

 

[Moko]

Hi Black Jade,

Have you ever tried 3-prong basket? I also did not like that martinis sink into my ears, but I did not like 4 prongs either, so I got 3 prong basket from my local jeweler and I love it.

I also bought a spectacular diamond from Whiteflash, which I am 100% happy with (not only the diamond, but also their service). I am wondering if Whiteflash also have 3 prong basket instead of 3 prong martini.

However, in your case your stones are big, so basket setting may droop?

I know what you mean we really never know until we actually try on if we would like it or not.
I would try many styles at B&M and then if I find what I like, look for a better deal for the exact same style at reputable online vendor.

Moko

 

[MMT]

I love the baskets also. I would love to see pictures of your new earrings

 

[bgray]

it is interesting how different things work on different people. i remember seeing jewelry in say Town and Country that I was gaga over and then I would see it in person and think.........eh. or i wold look at diamonds and was convinced i wanted a cushion --i was cushion obsesses long ago--only to discover that I really dont like brilliant cut stones----------i like step cuts on me. so congrats on your studs they sound STUNNING!

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 10/10/2008 5:34:01 PM
Author: jewels2
So did you buy 2CTW H VS2 from Whiteflash then? May I ask the cost please?

My studs are 1.80 ctw actually.
They are being set in white gold
They are costing exactly $10,000.
I have another thread on them with the specs included

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/10-000-for-diamond-studs-part-ii.96524/

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 10/10/2008 10:27:33 PM
Author: Moko
Hi Black Jade,

Have you ever tried 3-prong basket? I also did not like that martinis sink into my ears, but I did not like 4 prongs either, so I got 3 prong basket from my local jeweler and I love it.

I also bought a spectacular diamond from Whiteflash, which I am 100% happy with (not only the diamond, but also their service). I am wondering if Whiteflash also have 3 prong basket instead of 3 prong martini.

However, in your case your stones are big, so basket setting may droop?

I know what you mean we really never know until we actually try on if we would like it or not.
I would try many styles at B&M and then if I find what I like, look for a better deal for the exact same style at reputable online vendor.

Moko

I have to keep the cost at $10,000, so I have two choices at Whiteflash for settings that are $175. One is the three-prong martini and one is the four prong basket. I didn''t see any three prong basket.

The basket setting doesn''t droop on me. I guess I have funny ears, which I never knew before. There is kind of hollow in them where my earlobe meets the rest of my ear and the martinis just simply sank in and were barely visible.
the number of prongs was not the issue--the issue was that the basket setting keeps the stone up higher, so then you can see it on me.

Who would have thunk it? When I post the photos (when I get the earrings) you''ll see what I mean.

ON the other hand, my ear lobes are quite thick and I think I am not getting droop because of this and because my earlobes sort of face upwards.

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 10/11/2008 10:12:09 AM
Author: bgray
it is interesting how different things work on different people. i remember seeing jewelry in say Town and Country that I was gaga over and then I would see it in person and think.........eh. or i wold look at diamonds and was convinced i wanted a cushion --i was cushion obsesses long ago--only to discover that I really dont like brilliant cut stones----------i like step cuts on me. so congrats on your studs they sound STUNNING!

Yes, the stones are beautiful, from what I see in the picture Whiteflash sent. they are the ACA with the hearts and arrows.I tried to post the photo, but there were too many pixels in it, it wouldnt'' post. I don''t know what to do about that.

the picture shows the diamonds set in the martini setting. Which is being changed to the basket.

I have to say that I feel lucky to be getting these studs! My husband told me three weeks ago that I could pick out what I wnated for a 51st birthday present, so long as it cost up to $10,000. (Not even $10.000.01 he said). He said he wanted me to get a special birthday present, something I would remember this birthday by forever. And he still keeps saying that! Although we have lost a BOATLOAD of money in the last 2 weeks in the financial meltdown. Its such a scary amount that I don''t even want to post how much money is gone, I don''t want to see the figure written in black and white! However, DH keeps saying that it''s okay, he doesn''t like to lose money but it''s ''paper loss'' and he''s not worried because we have no debt and these earrings won''t put us into debt (or even stop us saving). And that he still wants me to get my present I picked out.

 

[MMT]

Good for you Black Jade your earrings sound gorgeous. Please post pictures when you get them. Happy birthday and what a sweet husband. I guess you know that.

 

[AprilBaby]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCKY GIRL!

 

[marcy]

Happy Birthday to you. What a great gift and they will be gorgeous.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My experience was very similar to yours! I looked locally just to get an idea of size and color and settings. I also decided on the traditional 4 prong settings because I like the way they sit flat against the earlobe. I think maybe smaller stones would be okay in martinis, but I didn''t want to try it on the ones I was buying. I got .75 each, H VS2 ACA''s. So yours will be identical except a little larger!

 

[Black Jade]

Thanks everybody!
I should have them some time next week.
Diamondseeker, I''d love to see pics of yours!

 

[Black Jade]

I hope this posts! This is what my earrings looked like in the 3 prong martini setting which is being changed.
This is the photo whiteflash sent me.

 

[Black Jade]

wow, that was very blurry.
I''m not good at this. Trying again.

 

[Kelli]

Those stones are gorgeous! I''m actually not a huge fan of the martinis either. They''re pretty, but I always hear that they stretch out the holes, and my piercings were done too low on my earlobes to begin with. That would not be good for me!

Make sure to post ear shots so we can see what they look like! Happy birthday!